Darnall’s Community Based Medical Homes’ laboratories awarded accreditation

By Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas – All three of Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center’s Community Based Medical Homes’ laboratories have been awarded accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of an onsite inspection in March.

This was the initial accreditation inspection for the Medical Homes. The Harker Heights and Copperas Cove Medical Homes opened in May 2011 and the Killeen Medical Home opened in September 2011. Each facility has a complete laboratory to provide timely test results to providers.

“We are really pleased with the accreditation. Since these Homes are new facilities with a new concept of operations, we are still working out a few of the kinks. We hired and trained many new staff members. The inspection did point out some minor deficiencies, but nothing that kept us from earning the accreditation,” said Lt. Col. Carlina Madelaire chief of CRDAMC’s Department of Pathology and Ancillary Laboratory Services. “We’ve already made some adjustments and are confident that the labs in each of the Homes will continue to earn accreditation in years to come.”  

The CAP accreditation program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, per the organization’s website.

During the CAP process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, as well as the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, in addition to the overall management of the laboratory.

Typically labs are notified that they will be inspected at some point within a 30 – to 90 – day window, but the exact date is not disclosed. The intent is to be sure the lab is operating in compliance at all times.

“The work that we do is so important, we can’t afford to take shortcuts or make mistakes. Although we’re ‘behind the scenes,’ what we do does have an impact on patient care. About 70 percent of medical decisions made by doctors are based on lab results,” Madelaire said. “So we have to perform at our very best every day, not just on inspection day.”

All of the CRDAMC labs undergo regular inspections to ensure they are operating according to government standards. In addition to the CAP, the labs are inspected by the Joint Commission and departments within the Food and Drug Association.

The three Fort Hood Medical Home Clinics are among 21 Army Medical Command community-based care clinics in 11 communities across the continental U.S. and Hawaii. Community Based Medical Homes are Army-run, primary care clinics located off-post in the communities where Army Families live. The “medical home” concept of care enhances the patient experience: Patients partner with a team of healthcare providers to develop a comprehensive, personal healthcare plan.

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Donna Honore, medical laboratory technician, performs a urinalysis and pregnancy test at CRDAMC’s Harker Heights Community Based Medical Home laboratory. The Harker Heights, Copperas Cove and Killeen Medical Homes labs have been awarded accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of an onsite inspection in March. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)

Patricia Robotham, medical laboratory technician, checks a biological sample for bacterial and other fungal elements at CRDAMC’s Harker Heights Community Based Medical Home laboratory. The Harker Heights, Copperas Cove and Killeen Medical Homes labs have been awarded accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of an onsite inspection in March. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)